§ Admiral Berkeley moved the order of the day for the third reading of the Woollen Manufacturer's bill, on which
§ Mr. P. Moore moved that counsel should be called in and heard against the bill, but the speaker suggesting that the third reading of the bill, according to the order of proceeding, should first be agreed to, and then previous to that reading the hon. member might introduce his motion. This form being therefore complied with, and it being ascertained by the serjeant at arms that counsel were waiting to be heard, the question was put for their admission. This question Admiral Berkeley and Mr. Dickenson opposed on the ground of creating delay. It was a bill for the suspension of penalties that, by former acts of parliament, were liable to be imposed on the manufacturers for practices which the interest of the trade required. The act passed for this purpose last session expired in the course of ten days, and were this not passed before that period, an opportunity would be given to such as might be so disposed, to molest and persecute the manufacturers.
§ Mr. P. Moore spoke in favour of the petitioning party. They were by no means anxious for delay, but on the contrary wished the business to be settled. The bill had been before the house two years, and was intended to prevent the due execution of arts that ought, in the opinion of the petitioners, to be enforced, and were necessary to the preservation and prosperity of the trade.
§ Mr. Wilberforce was friendly to the bill, but at the same time thought it fair that the petitioners should have an opportunity of stating their wishes on the subject, and 620 therefore would give his vote for the admission of counsel. The question however was negatived without a division, and the bill read a third time and passed.—Adjourned.